Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Folding Templates (free download)!

I've gotten so much great feedback on the printable folding templates that I include with most of my e-patterns. They are just little cardstock guides, but they are really great for making accurate folds. I've gotten to the point where I use them with almost every project, and if I don't have one that has the fold I need, I'll draw an extra line (or I'll try to eyeball it, which I'm not so good at - ack).

Anyway, I thought it would be nice to have some universal folding templates with multiple lines. I've put together a pdf "e-booklet" that you can download here. It includes a straight template and a curved template, each marked with multiple lines at 0.25" increments. The instructions are included with the file, but I will go ahead and post them here as well:

Folding TemplatesTemplates are great tools for making accurate folds. Print the templates on regular cardstock and cut them out along the dashed lines. Important note: The folding template is designed to be printed at 100%. Before printing, make sure that page scaling is set to none in Adobe Acrobat print window. To be sure the template printed at the correct size, measure the box. It should measure exactly 1 inch by 1 inch.

For a straight fold, place the numbered edge of the Straight Folding Template near the edge of the fabric to be folded (a). Starting in the center, bring the fabric over so that the edge meets the desired fold line on the template (b). Press, working the edge down to the line (c).

Slide the template over to one end of the fabric piece and press (d). Repeat at the other end (e). Flip the fabric over and press the length of the fold (f).

The procedure for using the Curved Folding Template is very similar to that of the Straight Folding Template.

For a convex (hill-shaped) fold, place the convex edge of the Curved Folding Template near the edge of the fabric to be folded. Starting in the center, bring the fabric over so that the edge meets the desired fold line on the template. Press, working the edge down to the line (a). Slide the template along the edge and continue to press, wiggling the template as needed (b). Note: for wider folds, small pleats may be worked into the edges to accommodate any excess width at the edges. Flip the fabric over and press the length of the fold (c).

For a concave (valley-shaped) fold, place the concave edge of the Curved Folding Template near the edge of the fabric to be folded. Starting in the center, bring the fabric over so that the edge meets the desired fold line on the template. Press, working the edge down to the line (a). Slide the template along the edge and continue to press, wiggling the template as needed. Note: for wider folds, snips may be made to allow the edges spread out (b). Flip the fabric over and press the length of the fold (c).

YAY for free stuff!! You know I love me a free pdf LOL. And since I'm crap at folding this is AWESOME. If I need to hem something I usually just adjust the cutting so I can change to fold to match one of you're guides from a pattern LOL. Now I don't have to!

Thank you so much, it works like a charm. I am from the Netherlands and everyting is in cm and with this inch template I don't have to calculate anymore and I also use it to set my sewingmachine in the right position for the seam allowance.

Thank you so much for these! I have been using them for years and just posted you to my Sew Essential series as Tip #1! (http://threadridinghood.com/wordpress/sew-essential-tips-tricks-and-notions-1-fold-like-a-pro-a-giveaway/) ~Sherri (sherri@threadridinghood.com)

I bought a metal one of these on a trip to America a few years ago and I really love it. It's not something that you can easily find here in the UK so I point all of my students in your direction so that they can print out their own. Thanks, they all appreciate it :-)